Elon Musk recently posted on X, claiming that over 20 million people over 100 years old are listed in the Social Security database as alive, jokingly calling them “vampires” collecting benefits.
Donald Trump repeated this claim, suggesting millions of people over 100 are receiving Social Security checks. But is there any truth to these statements?
What Do the Numbers Say?
According to the latest data, around 90,000 people aged 99 or older received Social Security payments in December 2024.
This is far lower than the “millions” Musk and Trump mentioned. The U.S. Census estimates about 101,000 centenarians are living in the country, so the numbers are quite close and make sense.
Acting Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudek explained that the numbers Musk referenced are from a database showing people with Social Security numbers but no recorded date of death. This doesn’t mean they are receiving benefits.
Why Are So Many People Listed as Alive?
The confusion comes from a system called the “Numident” database, which listed nearly 19 million people over 100 as not dead.
However, a 2023 audit found that “almost none” of these people were getting Social Security checks.
The issue is related to outdated records, and updating them would cost between $5.5 to $9.7 million. The Social Security Administration hasn’t prioritized this due to the cost.
Are There Any Safeguards Against Fraud?
Yes, Social Security has several checks in place to prevent fraud. For example, payments automatically stop for people who are over 115 years old.
In addition, the system has measures to detect and correct errors. In 2021, an audit found that about $298 million was mistakenly paid to 24,000 people who were marked as alive but were deceased.
About $84 million was recovered, leaving $214 million unrecovered. However, these mistakes were due to policy errors and technical glitches, not fraud.
Did Musk and Trump Uncover Fraud?
No, the issue of outdated records in the Numident database is not new. The Social Security Administration was aware of it and has been working on updates since at least 2021.
The problem isn’t widespread fraud but rather administrative errors. Experts agree that while mistakes do happen, the overall error rate is quite low.
Social Security’s error rate is under 1%, which is much better compared to other programs like Medicaid, which has a 5% error rate.
What About Improper Payments?
Between 2015 and 2022, Social Security made about $71.8 billion in improper payments. Most of these were overpayments to living people due to changes in income, marital status, or unreported information.
Only a small fraction was due to payments made after death. As of 2023, about $23 billion in overpayments were still uncollected. These are administrative errors, not fraud.
Read More:
- Understanding the $1,870 Payment for Disabled Seniors in February 2025: Eligibility, Process, and Important Dates
- How Social Security Benefits Are Changing in March 2025: What Retirees and Disabled Beneficiaries Should Know
Is Social Security Fraud a Big Issue?
Social Security fraud is rare. Experts point out that the main challenges for the system are related to administrative mistakes rather than fraud.
Alex Nowrasteh, an economic policy expert, praised Musk’s intention to highlight issues but stressed that exaggerating fraud doesn’t help.
The main concern is ensuring accurate records and reducing errors, not fighting widespread fraud.
Conclusion: Separating Fact from Fiction
Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s claims about millions of dead people over 100 receiving Social Security benefits are not supported by data.
The confusion stems from outdated records in the Numident database, not fraud. The Social Security Administration is aware of the issue and has been updating its systems.
While mistakes do happen, they are rare and mostly due to administrative errors. The facts show that Social Security fraud is not the massive problem it’s been made out to be.
Disclaimer- Our team has thoroughly fact-checked this article to ensure its accuracy and maintain its credibility. We are committed to providing honest and reliable content for our readers.
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